rickyzee

I have a 2013 RX 450H acquired November 2012. Last Summer with about 15,000 Km on it the AC started getting a very musty smell and then after a couple of months changed to a very strong and unbearable vinegar smell. it only happens when the AC runs for awhile and then sits parked for a day or overnight. the dealer checked it a few times, tore everything apart, thought I had a critter living inside but found nothing, deodorized the system and then finally replaced the evaporator coil last fall. this solved the problem and there were no issues all Winter because the AC was not running because of the cold temps. a couple of weeks ago when the weather started warming up I noticed the musty smell coming back. the car sat in the garage the entire weekend and this morning got in to go to work and the vinegar smell was back in full force.
is anyone else having these problems? the dealer is telling me this is the first problem like this they have encountered.
thanks all.
R

t2014rx

I've encountered this problem but not as bad as what you described. What worked / helped me was to use fresh air mode (not recycled air), then turn off the A/C a minute or so before getting to your destination. I believe it has something to do with getting rid of the moisture from the A/C so no mildew / musty odor emanates from the vents. I've heard of a spray that gets rid of the smell but it's a temporary fix. Hope this helps.

SteveCraig

Have a 3rd party do a pressure test on the AC charging loop.

RX330inFL

Welcome to Club Lexus, rickyzee.

They say this is a first for them at the dealership? Been discussed as a problem here with the 3rd Generation RX for a number of years now if it is the same problem. Have a look at these:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...nditioner.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...the-vents.html

There are perhaps more. You can use the search features of the forums here at CL to look around further. Most questions you might have regarding your RX have perhaps already been discussed.

rickyzee

Thanks for your suggestion but i always use the fresh air setting.

rickyzee

ok thanks for the suggestion

rickyzee

Thanks for the reference to the AC forums. everysuggestion is what has already been tried. i had a 2010 RX350 and never had an issue-seems to be just the hybrid.

Sevn86

My 2010 is the same way, but its not as bad as yours. I just changed the filter and it has helped. Also leave it on fresh air and turn off the AC before reaching your destination. Living in Texas with the heat and humidy doesnt help the problem either. Im sure its the same way in Florida.

7954024

Karp v. Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.-Lexus Division, 2012-0270/FTL (Fla. NMVAB January 30, 2013)
In a third air conditioner odor case, the Consumer complained of a foul odor from the air conditioner in her 2012 Lexus IS 250. According to the Consumer, the smell was “vinegar-y” and offensive, and was worse when the vehicle was first started in the morning, so much so that she would leave the door open when she started the car, and started her drive with the windows down in order to air out the vehicle. She testified that on some days the smell tapers off after approximately 30 minutes, but on other days – particularly very hot days – the smell would last all day. The Manufacturer asserted the alleged nonconformity did not substantially impair the use, value or safety of the motor vehicle, because the “concern had been repaired and the customer’s vehicle was currently up to the manufacturer’s specifications.” The Manufacturer’s witness testified that the odor complained of by the Consumer had to have been caused by micro-organisms on the air conditioner evaporator, but because neither he nor the authorized service agent had ever been able to recreate the odor, the problem had to have been corrected by the repairs that were performed. The Board found that the foul odor coming from the air conditioner substantially impaired the use, value and safety of the vehicle, thereby constituting one or more nonconformities as defined by the statute and the applicable rule. Accordingly, the Consumer was awarded a refund